Planetarium occulting light projection system



G. VAUX ET AL March 25, 1958 PLANETARIUM OCCULTING LIGHT PROJECTION SYSTEM Filed Jan., 24, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I. INVENTORS GEORGE VAUX GILMORE L. STITELY a FIG.

GEORGE A. sMlTH ZBY E ATTORN Ev I March 25, 1958 X ETAL 2,827,828

PLANETARIUM OCCULTING LIGHT PROJECTION SYSTEM Filed Jan. 24, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR-S GEORGE VAUX, GILMORE L. STITELY a GEORGE A. SMlTH BY *1 id 1 ATTORNEYS March 25, 1958 e. VAUX ETAL 2,827,828 PLANETARIUM OCCULTING LIGHT PROJECTION SYSTEM Filed Jan. 24, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5.

EVIIIIIIIII' INVENTORS GEORGE VAUX GILMORE L. STITELY a GEORGE A. SMITH BY 2 i flqdw, Q -7 Illl'l:

ATTORNEYS Fl G. 4.

March 25, 1958 A X T 2,827,828

PLANETARIUM OCCULTING LIGHT PROJECTION SYSTEM Filed Jan. 24, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6. FIG] INVENTORS GEORGE vAux, GILMORE L. STITELY &

GEORGE A. SMITH ATTORNEYS PLANETAREUEE @KISULT IN G EGHT 513$? EGN SYSTEM George Vaux, 'ryn Mawr, Pa, Gilmore L. Stitely, Elkton, Md :George A. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application January 24, E55, Serial No. 483,644

18 illaims. (Cl. 855-24} This invention relates to a planetarium and has particular reference to the provision of improved occulting means for star projecting means thereof.

As disclosed in the patent of Armand N. Spitz No. 2,632,359, dated March 24, 1953, acceptable projection of star images may be secured by the projection of light through pinholes in a globe from a source presenting a small of light to the pinholes. This very simple projection arrangement in sharp contrast with the elaborate projection systems generally used heretofore in planetaria. Pinhole projection, however, has the drawback that if very small size star images are to be produced, they cannot be sat factorily attained through the use or known filament lamps of sufficient intensity. If a filament lamp is used as the source, the image is essentially that the filament itself. The image is proportional to the size of the filament, other conditions being the same, and because of the requirements of heat dissipation, the necessary area presented by the filament increases Witt. intensity of illumination. If the radius of the dome on which projection takes place is small, the filament image produced thereon is small. However, if a large size dome is involved, an inadequately bright ima results from the use of a filament lamp having a .iuinciently small filament to provide an image which is not too large. Up to a. certain limit, in the darkness involved. a planetarium enclosure, the human eye is n.3-uve to the shape of the projected image,

of distinguishing from a reasonable viewwhcther the spot or" light which is seen is Consequently, in accordance (Hull ing distance a point or a small with the patent, referred to above, it has been possible, in small planetaria, to secure highly satisfactory results by utilizing the smallest available filaments and small size pinholes when the dome receiving the images was of reasonably small radius. in such case, differentiation between stars of different magnitudes was readily accomplished merely by changing the sizes of the pinholes to cause them to pass more or less light, the limitation on size being merely that of seeping within bounds the size of the spot of li ht produced. A large spot of the same intensity per unit area as a small spot appears brighter to the eye and, hence, satisfactory differentiation of the stars as to their magnitudes was achieved. Another drawback to a filament source of light is that it will not, in general, radiate the same intensity of illumination in all directions. This results from the fact that the filament must generally be curved or in the form of a helix in order to provide. ample intensity of illumination. Because of heat dissipation requirements, such a filament cannot be made to provide equal intensity of illumination in all necessary directions. An attemptto equalize the illumination leads to a requirement of a larger presented filament area which is, in turn, detrimental to the image produced, both causing it to be larger and of recognizable shape.

In accordance with the disclosure of the application of Armand N. Spitz, Serial Number 483,547, filed January 2,827,828 Patented Mar, 25, 19 58 24, 1955, there is provided a projection system which overcomes the drawbacks of the simple type of system just referred to while, at the same time, permitting the simplicity of pinhole projection or inexpensive variations thereof. Briefly summarized, there is used in accordance with that disclosure a highly intense arc-type source of light which may itself be highly directional in its illumihating characteristics. A beam of light from such a source is projected upon a small spherical mirror. From this mirror, reflection of the light occurs through either pinholes or small projection arrangements with the production of intense but very small star images upon a dome even of large radius. The formation of the small images is due to the fact that, as viewed from the position of a pinhole by reflection from a spherical mirror, the source appears greatly diminished in size. Effectively, therefore, each pinhole receives its illumination from a virtual source which is minute even as compared with the apparent area of the source. Furthermore, by this arrangement, for all practical purposes the illumination intensity is substantially uniform through a hemispherical region so that the star images themselves are only affected, as to intensity, by the pinholes or other projecting elements from which they issue.

Such a projection system, however, presents certain problems in securing the desirable, though not essential, occultation of star or other projected images below a horizontal plane, and it is the general object of the present invention to provide an occulting system applicable to this projection system.

The foregoing indicated general object of the invention and other objects particularly relating to details will become apparent from the following description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an outline elevation showing the type of planetarium projector to which the invention may be applied and illustrative of the problems encountered;

Figure 2 is a vertical section showing, in particular, the arrangement in a projector of the light source, mirror and occulting means;

Figure 3 is a section showing a projecting element particularly designed for the projection of star images of major magnitude and of the Milky Way, or the like;

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the mounting of a spherical reflecting mirror and associated occulting means;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the assembly shown in Figure 4; and

Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating, in particular, the operation of the occulting system.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is indicated at 2 the floor of a planetarium and at 4 portions of the dome thereof. In the vicinity of the center of the dome there is located a projector which is desirably mounted, as shown in Figure 1, by guy wires 6 and 8 tensioned by turnbuckles and serving to hold rigidly in position a fixed shaft the ends of which are indicated at 10. Each of the guy wires 6 and 8 illustrated is representative of a pair of guy wires diverging both in the projection illustrated and in directions normal to the plane of the figure. In contrast with prior mountings comprising heavy metal frameworks, the guy wire mounting illustrated produces great stability of the instrument and, at the same time, a minimum of occulting of the images projected on the dome. in practice it has been found that as the projecting rays cross the guy wires'the occulting produced is quite unnoticeable. Ready access to the projector is also attained by this construction and there is substantially no interference with the viewing of the star images by those assembled in the planetarium in contrast with the quite substantial obstruction presented by the massive mount, ings heretofore used.

proximately 23 /2.

7 of the globe positions.

14Lirr turn defines an axis 16 which rotates with it about the axis 12. j The axis 16 represents the axis of the earth Diurnal rotation is accomplished about the axis 16 by providing: a central assembly illustrated by the elements Band which rotate within the casting 14 about the axis. The central assembly defines in turn an axis 26. which moveswith it and corresponds to the precessional axis perpendicular-to the .plane of the ecliptic. The axis 26, accordingly, makes with the axis 16 an angle ap Centered on the axis 26 and ,supported'by*the:members 18 and 20 are cages 22 and 24 includingplatforms for'the mounting of sun, moon and planet-projectors- These latter projectors are not illustrated since they are not involved in the subject matter of"the invention' herein claimed. For the purpose of general" understanding, however, it may be remarked normattothe'axis 2610 simulate the apparent motions of V the sun,'%moon and planets. Mounted at the outer ends.

ofQthe cages 22 and Marie hemispherical globes 28 and which provide for the projection of the star images. Theseiglobes'rotate about the-axis 26 to illustrate precessionalmotion; Itxwill be understood that in the complete planetarium, allof the motions above mentioned are provided by' motors under suitable controls. From the standpoint of the. present invention, what is to be noted is that'the globes 28 have, essentially, universal angular motions requiring corresponding capabilities of the projection system'toprovide proper star images irrespective Involved in this is also thematter of 'occulting star images which might otherwise be projected below the horizon; As is usual, the projection surface of the dome'will'normally be interrupted at the .horizon, there being below this'a blacked-out area which will not. reflect the light from the images. Nevertheless,

, occultiug of-images below the horizon is desirable to prevent the projected rays from reaching the eyes of the observers within'the dome.

' globe:30 and onlyone need, therefore, be described.

At the top of the globe 28 there is indicated a cover plate 32-;which'serfves tomount the source assembly comprising thelamp 34in which there is located an intense light sourcecathodearea directed downwardly and indicated at 36; ..As will shortly become apparent, this source is required only to project its'illumination downwardly,1-'as viewed inFigureZ, through a small conical regionand it has been found highly suitable to utilize for this purpose known arc-type lamps which provide small sources of the order of 0.3 millimeter. diameter. Such aisourceiis, initself, very small, but by reflection isapparentlyevenismaller so that as virtual sources of projection there 'are' substantially point sources. The useof the plural inthis connection will be justified hereafter.) 1

a :In order'further to-increase'the intensity of illuminationgfthere is provided in alignment with the source 36 a lens ":38' rnoun'ted 'in-a housing 40 whichis adjustable iaterallyfin the lower end of a cage42 and clamped in adjusted -po'sitionby. a'locking 'nut 44. The cage 42 is provided with 'r'ods 46 'slidably mounted in the cover plate 32} and secured at their upper ends in an externally threadedring 48-s'urrou'nded by' a nut '50. Springs 51 SU'IIOUIld tht-E rods. 46-10 urgethe cage 42 downward- 1y, so that rotation of the nut ',---which-continuously 'asazaas I V. r

and is correspondingly designated by the letters N'and S.

. 4 bears on the plate 32 under the action of the springs, serves to adjust the cage42and lens 38 axially to focus the beam from the source. a

In line with the axis of the source 36 and lens 38 there is mounted a reflecting sphere 52 the center of which is desirably displaced toward the source from the center of the globe 28. The beam of illumination from the source 36 is concentrated by the lens 38 upon the reflector 52 and is reflected in all directions through somewhat more than a half a sphere so that rays pass .through pinholes 54 in the surface of the. globe, the pinin projection, there must be considered the size of the spherical mirror, its displacement from the center of the globe 28, and also the parallax involved by the fact that the projector of Figure 1 will have its globes offsetfrom'the center of the dome. The layout of the pin holes 54 in the globe 28 is such as to allow for these conditions and provide a reasonable compromise. Actually, the observer is not sensitive to-minor displacements of the stars with respect to each other and high accuracy of star positions is not required. It will be noted, however, that the spherical reflector 52 is'of small diameter with respect to the globe 28 so that for general descriptive purposes herein it may be considered various occultiug arrangements may be used therewith,

there is illustrated and claimed. herein a practical occulting arrangement particularlyadapted to said projecting system, this occultiug. arrangement being also disclosed in'saidSpitz application. The object of thisocculting arrangement is,?in particular, to prevent to'a substantial extent the projection of beams of light from the projector intothe eyes of observers. For this purpose, the occultingrmeans reduces to a great extentthe probability that :any'rays will be projected from the globes :below a horizontal plane through the projector.

: Secured in the corresponding cage 22 there is. a shaft 60 extending along the axis 26 on which. there is mounted by means of ball bearings 62 and 64 a U-shaped bracket '66. supporting at'the upper ends of its arms pins 68 which project inwardlyand carry mounting elements 70 and 72, these mounting elements being rigidly fixed with re spect to the bracket. The spherical mirror 52, which may he in the form of a pair of approximately hemispherical glass members surfaced with aluminum or other' material to provide high reflectivity and secured to an equatorial ring, is provided with shaft extensions 56 and 58 respectively mounted in bushings'74 and 76 in the members 70 and 72. These shafts are respectively provided with pinions 78 and 80 which mesh with idler pinions 82 and 84 mounted on pins carried by the members'70 and'72 and which, in-turn, mesh withpinions low the spherical mirror by a heavy yoke member .102. The pinions 78 and 80 have twice the number of teeth 7 of the pinions 86 and'88. By'reason of its pendant enemas weight, the assembly comprising the members 94 and 9e and 98, 100 and 102, acts as a pendulum mounted on the common axis of the pins 68. Accordingly, as the position of the fixed shaft 60 changes, the pendulous assembly just mentioned retains its position with respect to the vertical, the bracket 66 swinging about the axis of shaft 60 to maintain this condition. In other words, the pendulum swings about an axis which is constantly horizontal and perpendicular to the plane of inclination of the axis 26 with respect to the vertical. Consideration of the operation, therefore, may be reduced to consideration of what occurs as the axis of shaft 66, i. e. 26, is considered as tilting about a horizontal axis. As such motion takes place, the lamp source 36 correspondingly moves. At the same time, the sphere 52 rotates about its axis in the same angular direction but at half the angular velocity of the rotation of the axis 26.

The spherical reflector 52 is provided with a pair of non-reflecting zones 1% and 110. These zones are circular in outline and subtend at the center of the sphere angles of 90. The two zones are diametrically opposite each other and their common axis is perpendicular to the axis of shafts 56 and 58 and is horizontal when the shaft 60 is vertical. As will be seen from Figure 4, the upper edges 1% of the members 94 and 96 are horizontal and located at a level approximately midway between the center of the reflecting sphere and its top. Between the members 94 and 96 are gaps provided by their edges 104, and these gaps are of a width corresponding to the chord subtended by an angle of 90 at the surface of the spherical mirror. As will become apparent, these gaps are required to permit incident light to strike the mirror under certain conditions to provide reflection therefrom through regions extending to 90 from the direction of incidence.

The nature of the projecting and occulting systems will become clearer from consideration of Figures 6 to 9 which show the paths of incident and reflected rays in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the shafts 56 and 58. While reflections out of that plane are involved, their nature will be generally evident from consideration of the rays in the plane.

Figure 6 shows the conditions which exist when the axis 26 is vertical with the source 36 directly above the mirror 52. A central incident ray is indicated at 1 Limiting incident rays 1 and I produce horizontal reflections R and R (The rays 1 and 1 are shown as parallel though they may be slightly convergent due to the action of lens 38.) The rays R and R are the limiting desirable rays, and it will be noted that they are reflected from points at the upper extremities of the nonreflecting zones 108 and 110. Occulting in the plane illustrated thus is the result of these zones. In other directions, the occulting is effected by the upper edge 106 of each of the members 94 and 96. The occulting thus effected permits rays slightly below the horizontal. This is desirable, however, because in the position illustrated the uppermost globe may be somewhat above the horizon of the dome.

Passing to Figure 7, it may be assumed that the axis 26 has tilted counterclockwise so that the incident rays are as indicated at 1 I and 1 It will be noted that the reflections R and R now take place at the upper edges of the zones 108 and 110 which have moved through an angle equal to half the angle alpha of inclination of the axis 26. The purpose of the half speed angular rotation of the sperical reflector will now be apparent: this insures a proper rotation to provide the horizontal cut-off.

Figure 8 illustrates still further counterclockwise rotation of the axis 26. The incident rays are 1 I and I and the limiting horizontal reflected rays are R and R It may be noted, however, that the R under these conditions would not pass through any openings in the d globe 28 but, rather, would be arrested by its bottom which is closed, though not illustrated as such in Figure 2, and is perpendicular to the axis 2. Somewhere between the positions of Figure 6 and Figure 8, therefore, depending upon the particular dimensions involved, the non-reflecting zone will lose its useful occulting function.

Figure 9 shows a further rotation of the axis 26 to the extent that the incident rays are directed upwardly. The central ray is 1 I shows the incident ray which produces a horizontal reflection R Both the incident and reflected rays pass through the gap between the edges 104, and this condition illustrates, therefore, the necessity for this gap. Occulting below the horizontal reflection is still produced by the zone 1%. The incident ray I shown in Figure 9 is approximately the outermost ray which produces a useful reflection R since the closed bottom of the globe will occult reflected rays clockwise of this.

Qontinued rotation would produce results corresponding to those already described. It will, furthermore, be evident why two zones 10% and 116 are required since they eflectively alternate their positions in a single rotation of the axis 26.

The foregoing has not described what happens in the case of rays producing reflections out of the plane discussed. However, it will be evident that occulting of these rays takes place due either to the edges 106 or the zones 1% and 110. To produce precise horizontal occulting under all conditions, it Will be found that, theoretically, the edges of the zones 168 and lit! would have to change shape during the rotation. While this might well be accomplished by providing variable equivalents of these zones separate from the spherical reflecting surface but adjacent thereto, the complications of achieving this end are not warranted by practical considerations. With the arrangement illustrated, rays passing through the openings corresponding to particular stars will sometimes be directed below the horizontal. The probability that such a ray will reach an observers eye or that it will persist for any objectionable duration of time is so small as not to warrant a greater complexity of the occulting mechanism. Furthermore, it will be noted that the stars in the vicinity of the plane of the ecliptic might well be projected from either of the globes. This is due to the fact that the reflecting mirror 52 is displaced from the center of each globe. Due to this, the star holes may be located where there is a minimum likelihood of objectionable nonoccultation. For all practical purposes, therefore, the occulting system is completely satisfactory.

As will be evident from the foregoing, each pinhole 54 views as its virtual source of light a minute source which, for practical purposes, is substantially a geometrical point. The size of the pinhole defines the size of the image projected on the dome taking into account the respective diameters of the globe and dome. To a great extent, therefore, the stars of lesser magnitude may well have their intensities adjusted merely by choice of size of the pinholes. in this fashion, different size images are produced which, by reason of differences of size, have different apparent intensities.

However, particularly in the matter of first magnitude stars, greater intensities of the images are desired than can be satisfactorily produced while keeping down the sizes of the images. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide projecting assemblies in place of pinholes in the cases of such stars as illustrated in Figure 3. Each of these assemblies comprises a tube 112 fitted in an opening in one of the globes and threaded externally at its outer end to receive a clamp ring 114 which holds in assembled relationship a lens 116 of suitable focal length, an aperture plate 118 provided with a central aperture 12% and, in some cases, a filter 122 which may be colored to give the proper hue to the star involved. By the use of this arrangement, the total intensity of light passing through the aperture 120 may be focused on the dome to produce a satisfactorily small image. In such case, therefore, the apparent intensity isnctriallypdue to an increase of-intensitylofillu mination ratherthanmerely an increase in size of the image 1t" 1 1 his found, furthermore, that by the use of'a filmtrans parency in the position illustrated at 122 provided with a reproduction of the Milky Way, and byithe use of a diverging lens at 116, there may be produced ditfused low intensity patches of light to-show the MilkyWay. Other patches oflight may'bcsprovided to indicate nebulae, globular clusters, Magellenicclouds, and the. like. It will be evident that even if a filament source of illumination is used, the sperical mirror reflecting arrangement will produce a minute virtual source for projection even if the filament sourceiis fairly. large; Furthermore, directional characteristics of the source are unimportant since'all of'the rays utilized are located within a small solid angle. By reason of the :latter situation, however, muchofithe radiation 'from a filament source wouldvbe wasted as-heat, and for efdciency,an arc-type source is desirable as above described. a It vwill ,berevident that various matters'of detail may be changed without departing from theinvention as defined int 2 following claims. 7 i a What is Claimed is: a s

1. In a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, convex mirror means receiving lightfrom said source and providing virtual light sources of effective sizessmaller than said source,-means mounting said source of light to provide angular deviations of rays received by said convex mirror means from said source, and means forfei'fecting substantialoccultation of rays emitted from said convex mirror means .in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising a pendulous light mask at least partially'surrounding said convex mirror means, and means mounting said light ceiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller. than said source,'means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclina tion of a line joining said source to the center of said' mirror, and means for eifecting' substantial occultation of-rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising apendu- 'lous light mask at'leastspartially surrounding said mirror,

associated with said mirror and means :for efieietins ngular movement of said occulting means about an axis normal ;to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source tothe center of said mirror at a rate of 'angularmovement one-half'that of angular movement of said lineand in the same direction as the last men tioned angular movement.

' 5.1111 a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror,

- tul, said occultation means comprising occulting means andmeans mounting said light mask to effect tilting there- I of about an, axis normal to the vertical planeof inclination of said line joining'said source to the center of said spherical convex-mirror.

' 3. In a planetariumprojector, means providing a con centrated source of light, 'a spherical convex mirror re-,

' for effecting angular movement of said occulting means about an axisnorrnalto the vertical plane of inclination of said'line joining said source of light to the center of said spherical convex mirror. 7 s j 1 4. In -a planetariumjprojecton'means providing a concentrated sourceflof light, a spherical mirror receiving lightfrom said source andproviding virtuallight sources of'effective size smaller vthansaid vsource, means mounting said source of light to; provide variable inclination of a line joining said source; to; the center oflsaid mirror, arzldirneans for*effecting' substantial, occultation of rays emittedfrom said mirror in;directions -be1ow; the; horizon: tal, said occultation -means comprising occultinglmeans carried by said mirror and means for effecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror.

6. In a planetarium pro ector, means providinga concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal," said occultation'means comprising occulting, means carried bysaid mirror and means for effecting angular movement of said mirror aboutan axis normal to the a vertical plane of inclination of said line join ng said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in, the same direction as the'last'mentioned angular movement. s

- 7. In a planetarium rprojectonmeansproviding a con centrated source of light, a spherical 'rnirror receiving light from said'source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of'light to provide variable inclinationof a line joining said source to the center of said: mirror, and means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means carried by said mirror and occulting a pair of circular zonesthereon and means forteflfecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror. I

8.]In a planetarium projector, means providing a. concentrated source .of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than saidrsource, meansrmount ing said source of light to provide variable inclinationot a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirrorin directions below the horizon-, tal, said occultation means comprising occulting means carried by said mirror and occulting a pair of circular zones thereon each subtending an angle of approximately from the centerof the mirror and'means forefiecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination 'of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror.

' 9. In a planetarium projector, means providing a con centrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving zones thereon and means for effecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement.

10. In a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of eifective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means carried by said mirror and occulting a pair of circular zones thereon each subtending an angle of approximately 90 from the center of the mirror and means for effecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement.

11. In a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for efiecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means associated with said mirror and means for effecting angular movement of said occulting means about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement and said occultation means comprising additionally a pendulous light mask at least partially surrounding said mirror.

12. In a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of efiective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for eflfecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means associated with said mirror and means for efiecting angular movement of said occulting means about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement and said occultation means comprising additionally a pendulous light mask at least partially surrounding said mirror, and means mounting said light mask to eifect tilting thereof about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror.

13. In a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for efiecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means carried by said mirror and means for effecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement and said occultation means comprising additionally a pendulous light mask at least partially surrounding said mirror.

14. In a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means carried by said mirror and means for efiecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-hall that of angular movement or" said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement and said occultation means comprising additionally a pendulous light mask at least partially surrounding said mirror, and means mounting said light mask to efiect tilting thereof about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror.

15. in a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of effective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means associated With said mirror and means for effecting angular movement of said occulting means about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement and said occultation means comprising additionally a pendulous light mask at least partially surrounding said mirror, and means mounting said light mask to efiect tilting thereof about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror, said means for effecting angular movement of said occulting means comprising connections to said pendulous light mask.

16. in a planetarium projector, means providing a concentrated source of light, a spherical mirror receiving light from said source and providing virtual light sources of efiective size smaller than said source, means mounting said source of light to provide variable inclination of a line joining said source to the center of said mirror, and means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal, said occultation means comprising occulting means carried by said mirror and means for effecting angular movement of said mirror about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror at a rate of angular movement one-half that of angular movement of said line and in the same direction as the last mentioned angular movement and said occulation means comprising additionally a pendulous light mask at least partially surrounding said mirror, and means mounting said light mask to effect tilting thereof about an axis normal to the vertical plane of inclination of said line joining said source to the center of said mirror, said means for eifecting angular movement of said mirror comprising connections to said pendulous light mask.

, '11 17. A projector comprising a substantially hemisphericalropaque globe having open ngs therein, a convex mirror positioned approximately centrally of said globe,- a

high intensity light source in the zenith position within said globe above said mirror directing light rays to said mirror from which they arereflectedto said globe passing through openings therein, said light source and mirror providing virtual light sources for each of the openings in said globe, said light sources being of effective size smaller than said high intensity light source, means' mounting said globe for angular movement through an angle exceeding 90 with respect to vertical of an axis extending between said light source and said mirror, and means for efiecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal upon movement of said globe throughsaid angle.

18. A projector comprising a substantially hemispherical opaque globe having openings therein, means forming' a convex mirror positioned approximately centrally of said globe, a high intensity light source in the zenith position yvithin said globe above said mirror directing light rays to said mirror from which they are reflected to said globe passing through openings therein, said light source and mirror providing virtual light sources foreach of the openings in said globe, said light sources being of efiective size smaller than said high intensity light source; 7

means mounting said globe for angular movement through an angle exceeding 90 with respect to, vertical ofan axis extending between said light source and said mirrorforrning means, and means including non-reflectant areas of;

said mirror forming means and a pendulous light mask at least partially surrounding said mirror forming means for effecting substantial occultation of rays emitted from said mirror in directions below the horizontal upon movement of said globe through said angle 7 References Cited in the file of this patent 

